Misting apparatus and dust suppression system employing the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a dust suppression system for use in a container, and a misting apparatus therefor. In one form, the dust suppression, system comprises at least one misting apparatus for contributing to the creation of a mist layer for preventing the escape of the dust from the container, the misting: apparatus comprising a means for generating an airflow, and a means for producing a mist in the airflow so that the mist is carried by the airflow.

PRIORITY DOCUMENT

The present application claims priority from:

Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2013902779 titled “AMISTING APPARATUS AND DUST SUPPRESSION SYSTEM EMPLOYING THE SAME” andfiled on 26 Jul. 2013. The content of this application is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The following publication is referred to in the present application andits contents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety:

International Patent Application No PCT/AU2013/000550 titled “A DUSTSUPPRESSION SYSTEM FOR LOADING SHIP HOLDS” in the name of Flinders PortsPty Limited.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the suppression of dust from dustingmaterials, and a system and a misting apparatus therefor. Throughout thespecification “dusting materials” is a term used to refer to a materialwhich contains a significant amount of dust, or which releases a dustwhen agitated such as by movement.

In a particular form the present invention relates to suppression ofdusting materials during loading aboard, or unloading these from, avessel.

BACKGROUND

The loading and unloading of ships with dusting materials creates asignificant amount of dust. Depending on the nature of the material,this dust is at least messy and therefore undesirable, and at worstdangerous.

Solutions for this problem (not including the solution disclosed in theapplication referenced herein) have been previously proposed, whichinvolved misting the space above the material, however the dust wouldstill become airborne and escape the hatch.

It is against this background and the problems and difficultiesassociated therewith that the present invention has been developed.

Certain objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, anembodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, there is provided a dust suppression systemfor use in a container for a dusting material which creates a dust whenagitated, the system comprising at least one misting apparatuscontributing to the creation of a mist layer for preventing the escapeof the dust from the container, the misting apparatus comprising a meansfor generating an airflow, and a means for introducing a fluid to theairflow so as to form a mist that is carried by the airflow.

In one form, the container is a hold of a ship, the hold having a hatch.

In one form, the system comprises a plurality of the misting apparatuscooperatively forming the mist layer substantially across an extent ofthe hatch.

In one form, the dust suppression system comprises a plurality of themisting apparatus positioned about a perimeter of the hatch. In oneform, the plurality of misting apparatus is suspended from and spacedapart about the perimeter of the hatch.

In one form, the or each apparatus is connected to a fluid supply, andthe system further comprises a means for providing the fluid to the oreach apparatus under pressure.

In one form, for the or each apparatus, the means for generating theairflow is powered by the means for introducing the fluid to theairflow.

In one form, the or each misting apparatus comprises a body, a rotatingassembly supported by the body so as to be rotatable about an axis ofrotation, the rotating assembly comprising a fan, a turbine comprisingat least one rotor assembly, a fluid emitter issuing a jet of a fluid todrive the rotating assembly, the fluid emitter being so positioned withrespect to the fan as to issue the jet of fluid into the airflowgenerated by the fan.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a misting apparatuscomprising a body, a rotating assembly supported by the body so as to berotatable about an axis of rotation, the rotating assembly comprising afan, a turbine comprising at least one rotor assembly, a fluid emitterissuing a jet of a fluid to drive the rotating assembly, the fluidemitter being so positioned with respect to the fan as to issue the jetof fluid into the airflow generated by the fan to form a mist that iscarried by the airflow.

In one form, the turbine is a reaction turbine.

In one form, the turbine is an impulse turbine.

In one form, the rotating assembly comprises a hub, the fan comprises atleast one fan blade depending from the hub, and the rotator assemblycomprises at least one rotor arm comprising the fluid emitter extendingradially from the hub and receiving a supply of a fluid therefrom, andwherein the or each rotor arm is adapted to issue the jet of the fluidat a distance from the axis of rotation to drive rotation of therotating assembly and the or each fan blade depending therefrom, tocreate an airflow into which the or each jet of fluid is issued.

In one form, the or each rotor arm is tubular and the fluid emitter is ajet nozzle oriented to discharge the jet to drive rotation of therotating assembly.

In one form, the rotating assembly comprises a plurality of fan bladesequi-spaced around the hub to form the fan.

In one form, the rotating assembly comprises a plurality of rotor armsequi-spaced around the hub to form the rotor assembly positioned in theairflow issuing from the fan.

In one form, the turbine is an impulse turbine.

In one form, the fluid emitter depends from the body, the rotatingassembly comprises a hub, the fan comprises at least one fan bladedepending from the hub, and the rotator assembly comprises at least oneblade or bucket at which the jet of fluid is directed to drive rotationof the rotating assembly and the or each fan blade depending therefrom,to create an airflow into which the or each jet of fluid is issued.

In one form, the body comprises a shroud for the rotating assembly.

In one form, the shroud is tubular, and comprises a central axis whichis substantially coaxial with the axis of rotation for the rotatingassembly, and which comprises an inlet for air, and an outlet for a mistentraining airflow.

In one form, the misting apparatus comprises a further means forintroducing the fluid to the airflow.

In one form, the misting apparatus comprises a fluid line extendingabout a perimeter of the outlet, the fluid line comprising a pluralityof spaced secondary fluid emitters each directed so as to release fluidinto the airflow.

In one form, the secondary fluid emitters are misting nozzles.

In one form, the system can be attached to one or more sides of thecontainer.

In one form, the dust suppression system comprises a plurality of themisting apparatus suspended and spaced apart about the perimeter of thecontainer.

In one form, each of these apparatus is connected to a fluid supply, andthe system further comprises a means for providing fluid to the or eachapparatus under pressure.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a misting apparatuscomprising a means for generating an airflow, and a means forintroducing a fluid to the airflow so as to form a mist that is carriedby the airflow.

In one form, the misting apparatus comprises a further means forintroducing a fluid to the airflow so as to form a mist that is carriedby the airflow.

In one form, one of the means for introducing the fluid to the airflowalso drives the means for generating the airflow.

In one form, either of the apparatus or system described herein can beused in, or as a part of, or in conjunction with, either of theapparatus or system disclosed in PCT/AU2013/000550.

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention isprovided below along with accompanying Figures that illustrate by way ofexample the principles of the invention. While the invention isdescribed in connection with such embodiments, it should be understoodthat the invention is not limited to any embodiment. On the contrary,the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims andthe invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications andequivalents. For the purpose of example, numerous specific details areset forth in the following description in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention.

The present invention may be practiced according to the claims withoutsome or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity,technical material that is known in the technical fields related to theinvention has not been described in detail so that the present inventionis not unnecessarily obscured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference tothe accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a dust suppression system in usein a ship hold;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a misting apparatus or mister forthe dust suppression system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the misting apparatus of FIG. 2, wherein afront fan guard is removed for improved visibility of internals;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the misting apparatus of FIG. 3 (i.e. minus fanguard);

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of a mount for a rotating assembly of themisting apparatus; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a dust suppression systemaccording to a further embodiment.

In the following description, like reference characters designate likeor corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, where there is illustrated a bulk storage ship100 having a hold 110 with an uppermost hatch 120, via which a dustingmaterial can be loaded and unloaded. During loading and unloadingoperations, a dust suppression system 1 may be employed to prevent dustcreated by this agitation of the dusting material, from escaping thehatch 120.

The dust suppression system 1 comprises a plurality of misting apparatus10 spaced apart about a perimeter of the hold 110.

Fresh water is drawn from a tank 2 or a reticulated (i.e. mains) supply.The pump 4, draws the water through a series of water filters, andsupplies the filtered water under constant pressure to the mistingapparatus 10 via hoses 6. The pump station 4 may be any one of fixed inposition, portable, positioned on the wharf or jetty or mounted on atruck (i.e. a tanker 2).

Each misting apparatus 10 may be positioned about the hatch 120, orsuspended in the hold 110 from the edge of the hatch 120.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 5, each misting apparatus 10 comprisesa body 12 in the form of a cylindrical shroud for a rotating assembly20. This shroud 12 is supported on a stand 60 in such a way that thereis some adjustability of the direction in which the mist is thrown. Atleast tilt adjustment and elevation adjustment are preferable.

The rotating assembly 20 comprises a hub 22 which is rotatably supportedat a centre of the shroud 12 by a fixed hub mount 14 (see FIG. 5) whichis in turn supported by four structural ties 16 which extend radiallyfrom the hub mount 14 to the shroud 12.

A plurality (3 in this case) of fan blades (or vanes) 24 extend radiallyfrom the hub 22 so as to form a fan for creating an airflow.

The misting apparatus 10 further comprises a plurality (3 in this case)of rotor arms 30 extending radially from the hub 22 so as to form arotor assembly which is positioned in the airflow issued by the fan.

In use, each rotor arm 30 receives a supply of fluid from a fluidpassageway extending through the hub mount 14 and hub 22 to the rotor,each rotor arm 30 comprises a fluid passageway which extends through andalong the rotor arm 30 to a high pressure fluid nozzle 32 positionednear an outermost end of the rotor arm 30. This high pressure nozzle 32issues a jet of fluid which is directed so as to drive rotation of (i.e.spin) the rotating assembly 20, causing the fan to create the airflowinto which each jet of fluid is issued. The fluid jets issuing from thenozzles 32 into the airflow provide a first source of mist.

The high pressure nozzles 32 are replaceable and interchangeable, inthis way the speed of the fan can be adjusted by changing to nozzleshaving a different aperture size, and/or by changing the water pressure,and/or the number rotor arms 30.

It will be apparent from the above that the misting apparatus 10 doesnot require electrical power (electric fans would however), eliminatingthe electrocution risks associated with electrical cables, especiallywhere personnel are positioning misting apparatus 10 on a damp deckaround the hold of the vessel.

With reference to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the shroud 12 comprises aninlet 12A at an inlet end via which the fan will draw air, and an outlet12B at an outlet end from which a mist entraining airflow will bereleased. Each end is covered by a fan guard 13 (see FIG. 1) formed froman open wire-like configuration.

An external fluid line 40 extends about a perimeter of the shroudoutlet, which comprises a plurality of spaced apart misting nozzles 42,each directed so as to release its mist into the airflow issuing fromthe fan. These misting nozzles 42 issuing into the airflow provide asecond source of mist. These nozzles 42 can be angled and areinterchangeable for different and/or varying apertures sizes, dependingon the dust particle sizes being generated by the dusting material beinghandled.

Alternatively, uppermost nozzles 42 in the fluid line 40 may be selectedto produce droplets of a different size to lowermost nozzles. Forexample, a droplet issued from an upper nozzle may be smaller than adroplet issued from a lower nozzle. Droplets issued from a lower nozzlecan be the same size or smaller than the dust particles so that thedroplets attach to particles of the dusting material to weigh these downand force them to sink down into the hold 110. Droplets issued from anupper nozzle can be sized to suppress the droplets issued from a lowernozzle, along with the dust, and prevent these from escaping the hold110.

A connection point 50 for a water supply hose 6 is externally positionedon the shroud 12.

Preferably, the supply hose 6 and connection point 50 are equipped withquick-connect (or snap) type fittings. From the connection point 50,water is directed either internally to the hub mount 14 and rotor inturn, or externally to the external fluid line 40. If need be, fluidflow to the external fluid line 40 can be cut of using a valve.

The misting apparatus 10 of the embodiment illustrated weighs between 6kg and 8 kg, which allows the unit to be handled by persons safely, andprovides the capability to lower the misting apparatus 10 into the hold110 of the vessel 100 without need for any lifting devices. In thiscase, the misting apparatus 10 are lowered using adjustable straps.

The misting apparatus 10 and dust suppression system 1 described hereincan be used in, or as a part of, or in conjunction with, either of theapparatus (i.e. misting bar apparatus) or system (i.e. misting barsystem) disclosed in PCT/AU2013/000550.

It is possible to have one or more misting apparatus 10 attached to asingle supply line (or hose), as illustrated in FIG. 1. Mistingapparatus 10 can also be used whilst the misting bar system is beingused (see FIG. 6), or in a standalone capacity. A plug and playconfiguration allows for a circuit for a misting system comprisingeither misting apparatus 10 and/or misting bars.

The misting apparatus 10 creates a very concentrated mist which isthrown significantly further than the mist generated by the misting bar.This allows total hatch coverage for those difficult vesselconfigurations that prevent the misting bar being located around allfour sides of the hatch.

Moreover, the deeper penetration or throw of the mist generated by themisting apparatus 10 may eliminate the need to lower a misting bar pastthe hatch coamings of the vessel (i.e. so as to overhang past the hatchcoaming). Lowering a mist bar system past the sides of the hatchcoamings increases the risk of a tippler spreader, or grabs, or craneropes getting tangled in the misting bar system during trimming of thevessel, where trimming of the vessel requires the operator to get closethe sides of the vessel.

During windy conditions, the wind will try to force the mist out of thehold 110 before it has time to mitigate the dust being generated. Themisting apparatus 10 provides a more directional and deeper penetrationof the mist in the hold 110.

Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless thecontext requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “include” andvariations such as “comprising” and “including” will be understood toimply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but notthe exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and shouldnot be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that suchprior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention isnot restricted in its use to the particular application described.Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodimentwith regard to the particular elements and/or features described ordepicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is notlimited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable ofnumerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined bythe following claims.

1. A dust suppression system for use in a container for a dustingmaterial which creates a dust when agitated, the system comprising atleast one misting apparatus contributing to the creation of a mist layerfor preventing the escape of the dust from the container, the mistingapparatus comprising a means for generating an airflow, and a means forintroducing a fluid to the airflow so as to form a mist that is carriedby the airflow.
 2. The dust suppression system of claim 1, wherein thecontainer is a hold of a ship, the hold having a hatch.
 3. The dustsuppression system of claim 2, wherein the system comprises a pluralityof the misting apparatus cooperatively forming the mist layersubstantially across an extent of the hatch.
 4. The dust suppressionsystem of claim 3, wherein the dust suppression system comprises aplurality of the misting apparatus spaced apart about a perimeter of thehatch.
 5. The dust suppression system as in claim 1, wherein the or eachapparatus is connected to a fluid supply, and the system furthercomprises a means for providing the fluid to the or each apparatus underpressure.
 6. The dust suppression system of claim 5, wherein for the oreach apparatus, the means for generating the airflow is powered by themeans for introducing the fluid to the airflow.
 7. The dust suppressionsystem of claim 6, wherein the or each misting apparatus comprises abody, a rotating assembly supported by the body so as to be rotatableabout an axis of rotation, the rotating assembly comprising a fan, aturbine comprising at least one rotor assembly, a fluid emitter issuinga jet of a fluid to drive the rotating assembly via the rotor assembly,the fluid emitter being so positioned with respect to the fan as toissue the jet of fluid into the airflow generated by the fan.
 8. Thedust suppression system of claim 7, wherein the turbine is a reactionturbine.
 9. The dust suppression system of claim 7, wherein the turbineis an impulse turbine.
 10. The dust suppression system of claim 8,wherein the rotating assembly of the misting apparatus comprises a hub,the fan comprises at least one fan blade depending from the hub, therotor assembly comprises at least one rotor arm comprising the fluidemitter extending radially from the hub and receiving a supply of afluid therefrom, and wherein the or each rotor arm is adapted to issuethe jet of the fluid at a distance from the axis of rotation to driverotation of the rotating assembly to create the airflow into which theor each jet of fluid is issued, the means for generating the airflow(i.e. the fan blade) thereby being powered by the means for introducingthe fluid to the airflow (i.e. the jet issuing rotor arm).
 11. A mistingapparatus comprising a body, a rotating assembly supported by the bodyso as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation, the rotating assemblycomprising a fan, a turbine comprising at least one rotor assembly, afluid emitter issuing a jet of a fluid to drive the rotating assemblyvia the rotor assembly, the fluid emitter being so positioned withrespect to the fan as to issue the jet of fluid into the airflowgenerated by the fan to form a mist that is carried by the airflow. 12.The misting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the turbine is a reactionturbine.
 13. The misting apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the rotatingassembly comprises a hub, the fan comprises at least one fan bladedepending from the hub, and the rotator assembly comprises at least onerotor arm comprising the fluid emitter extending radially from the huband receiving a supply of a fluid therefrom, and wherein the or eachrotor arm is adapted to issue the jet of the fluid at a distance fromthe axis of rotation to drive rotation of the rotating assembly and theor each fan blade depending therefrom, to create an airflow into whichthe or each jet of fluid is issued.
 14. The misting apparatus of claim13, wherein the or each rotor arm is tubular and the fluid emitter is ajet nozzle oriented to discharge the jet to drive rotation of therotating assembly.
 15. The misting apparatus as in claim 13, wherein therotating assembly comprises a plurality of fan blades equi-spaced aroundthe hub to form the fan.
 16. The misting apparatus as in claim 13,wherein the rotating assembly comprises a plurality of rotor armsequi-spaced around the hub to form the rotor assembly positioned in theairflow issuing from the fan.
 17. The misting apparatus of claim 11,wherein the turbine is an impulse turbine.
 18. The misting apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the fluid emitter depends from the body, the rotatingassembly comprises a hub, the fan comprises at least one fan bladedepending from the hub, and the rotator assembly comprises at least oneblade or bucket at which the jet of fluid is directed to drive rotationof the rotating assembly and the or each fan blade depending therefrom,to create an airflow into which the or each jet of fluid is issued. 19.The misting apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the body comprises ashroud for the rotating assembly.
 20. The misting apparatus of claim 19,wherein the shroud is tubular, and comprises a central axis which issubstantially coaxial with the axis of rotation for the rotatingassembly, and which comprises an inlet for air, and an outlet for a mistentraining airflow.
 21. The misting apparatus as in claim 11, whereinthis comprises a further means for introducing the fluid to the airflow.22. The misting apparatus as in claim 20, wherein this further comprisesa fluid line extending about a perimeter of the outlet, the fluid linecomprising a plurality of spaced secondary fluid emitters each directedso as to release fluid into the airflow.
 23. The misting apparatus ofclaim 22, wherein the secondary fluid emitters are misting nozzles.